Video Performance Gallery

Danielle is 20 years old and a second year student at Fullerton Junior College. She is a Musical Theater major, and her goal is to be on Broadway one day. Danielle is joined by Hobbit, her newly acquired Guide Dog. Thank you, Danielle, for kicking off our performance gallery with the National Anthem.

Part of Anaheim Union High School District, Hope School serves a student body of 100% individuals with moderate to severe disabilities. In May 2019, inspired by Pageant of Masters in Laguna Beach, CA, Hope School performed Pageant of Hope Cast of Characters. Cast of Characters displayed murals replicated of student generated artwork. This particular piece titled, Super Hero, was drawn by, then 8th grader, Anthony Gardella. The music is a compilation of various Super Hero themed TV and Movies. The performers, in order of appearance, are Kimberly Blazer, Samantha Thomas, Harshita Rangu, Tabare Sobrera, Jorel Pamintuan, Nathaniel Amador,and Marc Mayfield.

Travis Ammann and Arroya Karian’s friendship began when they were in grade school. They met in Community Children's Theater and went on to dance for the Academy of the Performing Arts (APA) in High School. However, 4 years ago, after a surfing injury, Travis was diagnosed with what is called “Surfer's Myelopathy” of which there are only 40 known cases worldwide. The injury left Travis as a T10 Complete Paraplegic. Arroya was one of Travis's first friends to step up and help Travis when he was at his lowest. Travis has also been there for Arroya, when she has needed a shoulder to cry on. Friendships like this do not come around very often, and they should be cherished. When Travis was invited to perform for our opening ceremonies, the first person he thought to dance with was Arroya. This dance is the story about, not only their own friendship, but the power one person can make in another's life.

Based at Venado Middle School and University High School in Irvine Unified, the Orange County Department of Education’s DHH program serves more than 135 students from districts throughout Orange County. Please enjoy this special rendition of Disney's "It's a Small World." Inspired by social media, counselor Kim Coronado came up with the idea to enlist the DHH staff, including the principal, teachers, paraeducators, interpreters, the school psychologist, an audiologist, the school nurse, an administrative assistant, and a speech and language pathologist.

The lyrics to this song, "Do What You Do," were written by a young group of visually impaired choir students from Braille Institute, a nonprofit organization serving the visually impaired since 1919. In 2016, the students participated in a song-writing workshop where they shared their common experiences growing up and living with a visual impairment. A year later, the choir recorded their song in a professional studio setting. The finished recording was then turned into a music video, featuring photos and video clips of these young singers laughing, playing, singing and enjoying each other's company. The overwhelming message that ensues from this song is one of hope and encouragement. It is an inspiring story about facing one's challenges with bravery, grace and understanding. Visit www.brailleinstitute.org

Creative Identity's mission is to improve the lives and societal perceptions of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing therapeutic and educational interventions that cultivate personal and social responsibilities, pre-vocational skills, independence, and creative potentials. For more information about Creative Identity, please visit their website and social media pages. Website: http://www.creativeidentity-oc.org/ Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CreativeIdentityAnaheim Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeidentity_oc/

Cristina, known as “The Blind Soprano,” is a classical soprano who is totally blind hailing from Southern California. She has performed recitals, oratorio and operatic works in the United States, England, and Scotland. She received her Master of Arts in Voice from the Royal Academy of Music in London, and her Bachelor of Music from California State University, Fullerton. She currently resides in the Long Beach area and continues to perform, as well as teach. She has a private voice studio, and is also a resident voice teacher at the Academy of Music for the Blind. This text of "Goodnight Moon" is from an American children’s picture book, which was first published in 1947, and has become a staple piece of literature in the majority of American children's literary diet. Rather than the bedtime ritual the original text is meant for, Cristina sings this song in homage to the moon her brother took her to go see for the last time before she went totally blind in 2015. For more information about Cristina please visit: www.theblindsoprano.com

Two of VSA’s most beloved vocalists have teamed up to present this special duet! Lori Reyes attends ASPIRE Creative Arts Program in Anaheim. She began singing when she was 15 years old with Hi Hopes, from Hope University, and now is a vocalist with The Ensemble from ASPIRE Creative Arts Program. Jay White, known for his remarkable rendition of “What a Wonderful World,” began singing when he was a child in a school choir and has been featured singing the National Anthem for the Anaheim Ducks hockey games and San Diego Padres baseball games. Jay has also shared his talents with countless community organizations and charities, including the Special Olympics. Jay and Lori have been friends for over 30 years.

The Acabellas are an acapella quartet of 4 young blind girls from the Academy of Music for the Blind. Here is their original arrangement of “Amazing Grace / I Can See Clearly Now.” The Academy of Music for the Blind is a nonprofit school dedicated to providing blind, musically-talented youth with a comprehensive education in Music and the Performing Arts. For more information about AMB, visit: http://ouramb.org/

Japanese Speaking Parents Association of Children with Challenges (JSPACC), is a family support group made up of parents and family members who are caring for children with special needs whose members' first language is Japanese. They strive to guide their association using disability rights and responsibilities in order to empower themselves and advocate for their loved ones in need. Additionally, members support each other mentally and emotionally with their native language and common cultural background. They have many fun activities in which members and their siblings can participate - Taiko is one of them. The group's name is "Kizuna Taiko - Drum of Bond." Today they play Taiko in hopes of creating bonds amongst members as well as the audience. For more information, visit: https://www.jspacc.org/english.html

Straight UP Abilities believes in the power of movement. Dance is the hidden language of the soul. And it proves to bring people of all abilities together in light. Straight UP Abilities is rooted in Los Angeles and provides low cost dance and movement training to children and adults with different abilities in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. They also do school assemblies and live performances to help spread a message of patience, inclusion and empathy for ALL. www.straightupabilities.com

Every Wednesday at Lord Baden Powell and Salk Elementary Schools in the Magnolia School District, Robin Olive from Straight Up Abilities has the extreme pleasure to dance with some of the shiniest stars in the galaxy. Dance is more than just a physical activity; it helps build social skills and discipline, as well as encourages emotional fulfillment. Robin would like to thank Magnolia School District for recognizing this and allowing her to dance with their students. With choreography by Robin Olive, accompanied by the amazing Special Day Staff, please enjoy a performance from VSA's 2019 Festival of "Rocketeer" featuring the students from Lord Baden Powell and Salk Elementary with dancers of Straight Up Abilities.

Cesar Galvan has been playing the violin for a little under 4 years. He began his studies under the direction of Cynthia Faisst at the Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center. Faisst, who teaches the Suzuki method, remembers Cesar peering through the window of her violin class with a desire to learn how to play. Recognizing that Galvin was faced with physical challenges, Faisst assessed the situation and suggested “reverse violin” (traditionally the violin is held on the left shoulder with the left hand) to make the most of Cesar’s fully-abled right arm and hand. She then reached out to a STEM high school teacher and students in Mission Viejo, who custom-designed adaptive components to assist Cesar with holding the bow for his violin. Cesar excelled quickly and has become an example to other students with physical challenges, that playing an instrument, such as the violin, is possible.

OC Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center’s mission is to provide innovative, artistic, educational and therapeutic programs that inspire and transform children, at-risk youth, adults and their families to fulfill their highest potential. OCCTAC is the first and only organization in Orange County offering unique programming that combines the arts, academics, and creative therapies to help children, youth and adults reach their highest capabilities. Folklorico dance is just one of many programs the center offers. For more information, please visit: https://www.occtac.org/